Traveling with your dog is a great way to make your vacation or trip a lot more fun. Many families and dog owners don’t want to to leave their best friends at home and are planning dog friendly trips. If you aren’t flying, this means you will be bringing your dog in your car with you. Traveling with your dog can be stressful, but if you are properly prepared it can be a great time. Try these tips to better enjoy traveling with your dog:

Use a crate when traveling with your dog. If your dog is not used to being in a crate, start introducing them to the crate over the course of a few weeks before the trip. You’ll want your dog to be comfortable with being in the crate. You might feel bad about putting your furry friend away into a crate, but this is the safest place for a dog in a car.

Keep your dog well-hydrated at all times and take frequent urination breaks.

Have small snacks ready for your dog. Big meals are a bad idea because of car sickness, but small snacks are okay.

Never leave your dog unattended in a closed car. Even with the windows cracked, your car becomes an oven fast for a dog.